New York Giants tackle David Diehl, left, works out with members of the offensive line during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ORG XMIT: NJJC106

New York Giants tackle David Diehl, left, works out with members of the offensive line during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ORG XMIT: NJJC106

Win or lose, the Giants (0-3) aren't going to have another no-show performance against the Chiefs (3-0).

"I think the better Giants team is going to show up this week," receiver Victor Cruz said. "It's a different mindset. Today's practice was completely different than what we had in the past. The energy was different. The feel was different. We're excited. This is where I think we turn the page and make a good run and get a couple of wins under our belt."

An upbeat Tom Coughlin is promising a more physical team. And if practice was any indication Wednesday, there was a little feistiness to the workout.

"These guys are hungry, being 0-3 and especially the way we lost that game," punter Steve Weatherford said. "We wanted to win that one for Coach, and we didn't play well."

Linebacker Mark Herzlich could sense an increased focus in practice, especially on a defense that has given up a league-worst 115 points.

He said there was no carrying on in meetings. If there was a mistake on the practice field, players talked it over with coaches or looked at the play cards to see how they were out of position.

"Something has to change in the way we are playing," Herzlich said. "I think we can do it. I think we all believe we can do, and that belief is the first step."

Coughlin isn't discussing any lineup changes, but there might be some. Center David Baas (neck) and guard Chris Snee (hip) missed practice, forcing the team to use a makeshift line days after giving up seven sacks.

Since Coughlin didn't talk to the media after practice, who played where on the offense line was not public.

One positive for the unit was that veteran David Diehl practiced for the first time since the Giants announced that he had surgery on his right thumb Aug. 21.

"It's not something you ignore and say, 'It's a fluke game,'" Boothe said. "We have to play at a better level and we know that."

The Chiefs' defensive front seven will challenge the Giants. Linebacker Justin Houston had 4½ sacks against the Eagles last week, and he leads the NFL with 7½.

The Giants are banged up in the secondary. Starting cornerback Corey Webster, who missed last week's game with a hip injury, is feeling better but did not practice. Cornerback Terrell Thomas, who is playing after missing the last two seasons with ACL injuries, is being used on a limited basis to give him more time to recuperate between games. He expects to play Sunday.